Legislation

Perennial legislation, drafted by the ACLU, sought to reform a number of Rhode Island’s practices in relation to elections.

In one of the most disturbing civil liberties setbacks in years, the Governor signed into law a bill requiring voters to present photo identification before casting a ballot at the polls.

Legislation was introduced to address regulations from the Board of Elections which unfairly limit the counting of provisional ballots and the rights of candidates to contest disputed ballots during recounts of close elections.

The Affiliate and other civil rights groups testified against legislation that would require voters to show identification at the polls.

The House has passed legislation to require photo identification of voters at the polls. The Affiliate and other civil rights groups lobbied against its passage.

Two separate pieces of voting rights legislation have been approved by the Senate.

In response to the ACLU’s successful court case on behalf of the Moderate Party of RI, a bill was introduced to reduce from 5% to 1% the percentage of signatures required for a group to qualify for political party status.

Designed to strengthen the franchise in Rhode Island, the legislation would overturn restrictive Board of Elections’ policies that substantially limit the counting of provisional ballots and restrict the rights of candidates to view disputed ballots during recounts of close elections.

Opposition from the state Board of Elections and the creation by the Secretary of State of a commission to review voting issues kept a comprehensive election reform bill drafted by the ACLU from moving forward.